Opposition lawmakers from Kelantan have signalled their willingness to cooperate with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli on the People's Income Initiative (IPR) - which is aimed at eradicating poverty.
This is after Rafizi extended an olive branch to the opposition, seeking their help to boost IPR participation in states with high cases of poverty like Kelantan.
When contacted, Jeli MP Zahari Kechik said such cooperation would be for the people's benefit.
"As a representative elected by the people for the people, I am ready to cooperate.
"Poverty transcends politics," the PAS lawmaker told Malaysiakini.
The IPR is a programme aimed at helping the hardcore poor generate between RM2,000 to RM2,500 in monthly income by taking part in one of three sectors - food, agriculture and services.
The participants would be monitored by the ministry over 24 months, with the hope that participants become self-sufficient after that period.
Rafizi revealed on Monday that out of 22,000 people who have registered for IPR, only 1.7 percent were from Kelantan, Terengganu (1.5 percent), Perlis (0.5 percent), Sabah (5.7 percent) and Sarawak (2.4 percent).
To this end, the minister said he hoped to meet with opposition representatives so that they can persuade their constituents in need to register for IPR.
He said the ministry aims to give special attention to expanding IPR to the 20 poorest districts in the country such as Pitas, Kudat and Kota Marudu in Sabah; Jeli, Kuala Krai, and Bachok in Kelantan; and Besut and Marang in Terengganu.
However, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal - who also committed to cooperating on IPR - said there has been no official engagement from Putrajaya thus far.
"There has been no official engagement with us. No letters and such. How are the people supposed to know?
"The people of Kelantan are very close to their representatives. They want the information to be channelled properly," he said when contacted.
Separately, Tumpat MP Mumtaz Md Nawi hoped the IPR engagement will also involve the state government, stakeholders and community leaders.
He also said there was a need to make tweaks to the IPR so that it meets the local economic conditions of each state.
Rafizi had said that the IPR is not a one size fits all solution and would be adapted based on the locality and location of participants.
He said the Economy Ministry is aimed at ensuring that the right type of foods are being sold or the right type of crops is grown in order to meet the specific demands of each community.
Rafizi has expressed confidence that the IPR can succeed where other poverty eradication programmes had failed, as the ministry had considered the entire supply chain - including ensuring that there are industry buyers for crops being grown under the programme. - Mkini
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